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Cranberry Orange Sugar Cookie Bars

Cranberry Orange Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful fusion of sweet and tart flavors, perfect for any occasion. These chewy, buttery bars are topped with a vibrant orange glaze and studded with ruby-red cranberries, creating a festive treat that is sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
  4. Gradually add flour mixed with baking powder and salt to the wet mixture; stir until just combined.
  5. Gently fold in cranberries until evenly distributed.
  6. Spread the dough into your prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
  7. While cooling, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice to make the glaze; drizzle over cooled bars before slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: For added texture, consider substituting some dried cranberries with chopped nuts or chocolate chips. If desired, enhance flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg along with the orange zest.